Collapsible serving stand for use in dining room service and the like



Aug. 13, 1957 P. BARILE COLLAPSIBLE SERVING STAND FOR USE IN DINING ROOM Filed Jan. 21, 1954 SERVICE AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 13, 1957 2,802,578

P. BARILE CQLLAPSIBLE SERVING STAND FOR USE IN DINING ROOM SERVICE AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 21, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I l.\ l k l COLLAPSIBLE SERVING STAND FOR USE IN. DINING ROOM SERVICE AND THE. LIKE Peter Barile, Chicago, 111., assiguor to Tri-Par Manufacturing Co., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application January 21, 1954, Serial No. 405,438

4 Claims. (Cl. 211-432) This invention relates to a collapsible serving stand and more particularly to such a serving stand which may be used in dining room service and the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a collapsible stand with a single unitary shelf positioned below the top of the stand to support dishes, table silver and the like with the top of the stand used to support a removable tray.

Another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible stand of the foregoing character with the shelf positioned below the pivot point of the frame members, whereby said shelf is moved from a horizontal to a vertical position when the stand is collapsed, which shelf when loaded serves to positively prevent the stand from collapsing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a collapsible stand whereby movement of the frame members will operate the shelf to either a supporting or collapsed position.

Another object is to provide a collapsible stand which supports itself vertically in its collapsed position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a very simple and inexpensive collapsible serving stand which is sturdy in construction and which will support considerable weight.

Other objects will become apparent as this description progresses.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the serving stand in open position.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view thereof. Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof. Figure 4 is a bottom plan view thereof. Figure 5 is a side elevational view in fully folded position and showing same self supported in collapsed posi- I tion.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view in fully folded position and showing same self supported in collapsed position.

Figure 7 is an end view of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is an end view of Figure 6, and I Figure 9 is a cross sectional view taken on lines 9-9 of Fig. 2.

The supporting structure of the stand is formed of a pair of inverted U-shaped frame members 10 and 12, both of similar construction and preferably formed of tubular material. The lower portion of the sides of the frames are bent at an angle to form vertical legs 10a and 12a when the structure is in open position as shown in Figure 1. The legs are each fitted with suitable caps 14, preferably of rubber or similar material.

The two frame members 10 and 12 are pivotally connected at their sides as at 16 and 18 by suitable pins 20. It will be noted that at said pivoting connection the tubular material of the frame member is indented as at 10b and 12b and a metal washer 24 is positioned therebetween on said pins as best shown in Fig. 9. This serves to keep the two supporting members in alignment with respect to each other and prevents lateral play. It also facilitates the opening and closing of said frame members. It will be noted that the pivoting connection of said members is above the center of the length of said frame members and above the supporting shelf to be described.

The supporting shelf generally designated by the numeral 26 comprises a single integral shelf with its opposite sides bent upwardly to form side flanges 28 with I the front and back ends bent downwardly to form front and back flanges 30. Suitably secured to the bottom of said shelf inwardly cf the sides is a pair of side members designated by the numeral 32 which depend below the shelf. Each side member has a continuous slot 34 which is curved as best shown in Figs. 1 and 5. The slot starts as indicated at 36 curves upwardly as at 37 ,then sweeps downwardly in a gradual curve as at 38 and terminates as 'at 39. The side members 32 are provided with aligned openings 40. A transverse rod 42 is secured to the sides of frame member 10 and said rod extends through the .openings 40. The shelf 26 pivots about the rod 42 as will be explained.

A transverse roller rod 44 is suitably secured to the sides of the frame member 12 and said roller rod moves within the slots 34 of the shelf when same is opened and collapsed as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The rod 44 is mounted so that it rotates or rolls as the stand is either opened or closed to reduce the friction between the parts.

The top or transverse portions of the frame members 10 and 12 are provided with spaced rubber members 46, on which a conventional tray may be removably sup; ported.

The operation of the device will now be specifically described.

In its fully opened position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the shelf 26 is positioned horizontally below the pivot points 16 and 18 of the stand. In this position the top of the stand is free to receive and accommodate the conventional waiters tray in which is carried food to be served. The waiters tray may be readily positioned and removed from the stand without disturbing the rest of the stand. The shelf 26 may be used for the purpose oftemporarily accommodating a tray of dishes or'food removed from a table or same may accommodate dishes and silverware. It will be seen that with the stand in the position shown in Fig. 1 that the shelf 26 will not collapse and any weight thereon will tend to more firmly maintain the frame structure in the position shown.

When it is desired to collapse the supporting stand the frame members 10 and 12 are engaged at the top thereof and are pushed or pivoted inwardly towards each other. The roller rod 44 on the frame 12 moves inwardly along the slot 34 and gradually pivots the shelf 26 downwardly as shown in Fig. 5 and when the rod enters the curved portion 37 of the slot the shelf swings downwardly to a substantially vertical position as best shown in Fig. 6. In this position the legs 10a and 12a cross each other to support the stand in a collapsed position as best shown in Fig. 6 and the stand may be readily stored without taking up any consequential space. To extend or open the stand it is merely necessary to spread the supporting frame members 10 and 12 apart adjacent the top and the shelf 26 will move in a reverse direction to that previously described and will assume a fully horizontal position when the supporting members are fully spread apart as shown in Fig. 1.

I have thus provided a very simple and inexpensive construction which'may be readily and easily collapsed or extended and which may safely support a large weight.

It will be understood that various changes and modi- Patented Aug; 13, 1957- fications may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A collapsible service stand for dining room service and the like comprising a pair of substantially inverted U-shaped frame members with the closed top ends thereof exposed and free on which to rest a removable serving tray, said U-shaped frame members having the lower portions thereof formed at an angle to provide vertical legs when said stand is in open position, means for pivotally securing said frame members to each other above the center of the length of the frame members, a transverse rod secured to one of said frame members, a single integral shelf member pivotally secured and supported on said transverse rod below said pivotal connection of said frame members, said shelf having a cam slot, a second transverse rod supported on said other frame member and secured at all times to said shelf and engaging said cam slot to move therewithin to operate said shelf when said frame members are pivoted with respect to each other, said legs adapted to cross each other to support said stand in a vertical position when said stand is collapsed. l

2. A collapsible serving stand for dining room service and the like comprising a pair of substantially inverted U-shaped frame members with the closed top ends thereof exposed and free on which to rest a removable serving tray, said U-shaped frame members having the lower portions thereof formed at an angle to provide vertical legs when said stand is in open position, means for pivotvally securing said frame members to each other above the center of the length of the frame members, a transverse rod secured to one of frame members, a single integral shelf member pivotally supported on said'transverse rod below said pivotal connection of said frame members and approximately midway of the length of the frame members, said shelf having a cam slot, a second transverse rod supported on said other frame member and secured at all times to said shelf and engaging said cam slot to move therewithin to operate said shelf when said frame members are pivoted with respect to each other, said legs adapted to cross each other to support said stand in a vertical position when said stand is collapsed.

3. A collapsible serving stand for dining room service and the like comprising a pair of substantially inverted U-shaped frame members with the upper ends thereof exposed and free on which to rest a removable serving 7 4. tray, said U-shaped frame members having the lower 7 portions thereof formed at an angle to provide vertical legs when said stand is in open position, means for pivotally securing said frame members to each other above the center of the length of the frame members, a single integral shelf pivotally secured to one of said frame members below the pivotal connection of said frame members and approximately midway of the length of the frame members, said shelf having a pair of opposed upturned flanges and depending portions, said depending portions having a cam slot, means on said other frame member securing said shelf at all times to said other frame and engaging said cam slot to move therewithin to operate said shelf when said frame members are pivoted with respect to each other, said legs adapted to cross each other to support said stand in a vertical position when said stand is collapsed.

4. A collapsible serving stand for dining room service and the like comprising a pair of substantially inverted U-shaped frame members with the upper ends thereof exposed and free on which to, rest a removable serving tray, said U-shaped frame members having the lower portions thereof formed at an angle to provide vertical legs when said stand is in open position; means for pivotally securing said frame membersto each other above the centerof the length of the frame members, a single integral shelf pivotally secured to one of said frame members below the pivotal connection of said frame members and approximately midway of the length of the frame members, said shelf having a cam slot, means on said other frame member securing such shelf at all times to said other frame and engaging said cam slot to move therewithin to operate said shelf when said frame members rare pivoted with respect to each other, said legs adapted to cross each other to support said stand in a vertical position when said stand is collapsed.

References Cited in-the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 907,423 Tilley n Dec. 22, 1908 1,291,304 Warren Jan, 14, 1919 1,488,425 Wilson Mar. 25, 1924 1,720,484 Lantz July 9, 1929 1,748,339 Gerberich Feb. 25, 1930 1,833,177 Rice Nov..24, 1931 2,317,036 Doering et al. Apr. 20, 1943 2,434,800 Hollander Jan. 20, 1948 

